We've Done It! - Mountsorrel Railway Reaches the End Of the Line

On Saturday February 23rd 2013 the final panels of track were laid along the Mountsorrel branch line to reach the proposed location of the new Mountsorrel Halt at Bond Lane.



     

Over 75 project volunteers turned out to help lay the final panels and we were joined by representatives from Mountsorrel Parish Council and Lafarge. A film crew from Central News were also there filming a news item for Saturday evening's broadcast and there should also be coverage in this week's Loughborough Echo.

 

Last May when we launched our appeal to raise the funds necessary to secure the rail we needed to complete the project, we set ourselves the ambitious task of having track laid through to Mountsorrel Halt by February 2013. At the time many doubted that we would achieve this and if it hadn't have been for the support of those who donated and the hard work and dedication of everyone involved, we certainly wouldn't have done so.

It is amazing to see the way the project has captured the spirit of local people from all backgrounds, ages and genders, to the extent that so many of them feel compelled strongly enough to turn out in all weathers to help protect and preserve our heritage.  
 

   

There is still much to do before the railway can open for public trains to operate. The next stage is to fit check rails to the tight curves at Wood Lane and then to ballast the remaining part of the line. A machine called a tamper will then be hired in to pack and line the track. So there is still plenty of opportunity to get involved yourself over the coming months.

We are also working towards securing planning permission and funding for Mountsorrel Halt, which will allow passengers to get on/off the train at Mountsorrel to visit the village and Stonehurst Famliy Farm and Motor Museum via their existing tractor trailer rides.

Next Wildlife Warriors Event Saturday February 23rd

The next of our hugely popular Wildlife Warriors events will be held this coming Saturday at 2:00pm.

This event has an historical theme and the children will be able to take part in a mini archaeological dig at the old ruins of Dob Hall, the remains of which stand next to the Mountsorrel Railway.

The building has been dated to around 1780 by archaeologists and the aim of the session will be to see if the children can find the original floor of the building plus pieces of pottery and other items of interest.

There will also be a bird box painting activity. Our volunteers have made over 50 bird boxes of different bird types to go up around the new Nunckley Trail and alongside the railway.

The event is aimed at children aged 3-11 accompanied by their parents/carers and is FREE of charge thanks to Sponsorship by the Mercury Newsagents on Leicester Road, Mountsorrel.

For more information or to book your place, please contact Caroline Bowler at wildlifewarriors@hotmail.co.uk

   

Mountsorrel Parish Council Award Certificate of Commendation

Mountsorrel Parish Council have awarded a Certificate of Commendation to all of the volunteers who have volunteered their time to help the Mountsorrel Railway Project!

Parish Council Chairman Brian Allard presents the Certificate of Commendation to project volunteers Steve, Lucy and Laura Cramp

Project leader Steve Cramp Commented "It is a great honour for all of the volunteers who have worked on the project to receive a Certificate of Commendation from Mountsorrel Parish Council. It is good to know that the Parish Council value the work we are doing to preserve Mountsorrel's heritage and also how the project has inspired so many local people to become involved themselves."

This is the fourth award that the project has received over the past 18 months. Other awards include the Lord Lieutenant's Queen's Diamond Jubilee Award for Voluntary Service, NatWest Community Force Award and the Mountsorrel Ripples Community Award.

We never set out to win awards for our work, but it is never the less very encouraging to know that we have so much support.